Goosen steers SA U20s to Argentinean double

SA U20 flyhalf Johan Goosen kicked five penalties and a conversion to steer his team to a 22-13 victory over Argentina U20 in the second international match played at the Lions Rugby Club in Santiago del Estero on Thursday night.

The Baby Boks and Vodacom Blue Bulls winger Courtnall Skosan scored his team’s only try of the match. All 22 points achieved by the South Africans were accumulated during the first 40 minutes while Pumas pivot Brian Ormson kicked two penalties before the break which ensured that the visitors enjoyed a 22-6 half time lead.

The South Africans, like the Argentineans struggled to gain momentum during the second half due to severe rain. Both teams conceded numerous penalties after the break and at one stage the Baby Boks were reduced to 13 players when centre Bradley Moolman and lock Carl Wegner were sin-binned for deliberate infringements during the match.

It was during this period of the match when the visitors were reduced to 13 players that allowed the Pumas to score their only five-pointer of the game which was achieved by Argentina U20 No.8 Martin Ignes. Ormson added the conversion which was also the final points scored in this fixture that saw the SA U20s triumph by 22-13.

“I am happy with the progress that we have made as a team during this two-week tour, especially due to the fact that we have achieved one of our tour objectives which were to win both internationals,” said SA U20 coach Dawie Theron.

“For us, it’s going to be about ticking as many boxes as possible before the IRB Junior World Championship kicks off in June in Italy. We’ve ticked this box, but there’s still plenty of work that lies ahead. Our intentions were to afford these players an opportunity of competing against overseas opposition, and to gauge how they adapt to foreign conditions.

“It is going to be important for the players to continue gaining game time from now until our next training camp. Some the guys will go straight back into the FNB Varsity Cup competition, while many of the other players will slot in with their provincial unions’ Vodacom Cup teams.”